Legal and Historical Perspective on Public Character of Cassation Complaint in Polish Civil Procedure

The text offers an overview of the evolution of cassation in Poland and its historical background from the 19th century until the present time. The author argues that consistently conducted transformation of the Polish cassation system has changed the perception of cassation which was widely spread after the political transformation of 1989. She points out that such elements as: the procedure of preliminary selection of cases, absolute compulsory representation by an attorney or legal advisor, and the exclusive use of cassation grounds indicated in the Code of Civil Procedure exert an impact on the accessibility of a cassation complaint. She demonstrates a far-fetching evolution of this appellate measure over the years, considering the fact the beginning of its function was quite the opposite